A is for Apple

Day 1 in the Pre-K classroom: seamless. Love being with all those happy, creative, and wonderful little people! I forget how much I love the classroom. The looks on their faces when they get it; the way their eyes light up with wonder...

Being a classroom got me thinking about letters. Be it Aleph-beis or Alphabet, the skill of recognition is integral to education. "Old school, meet new school", is the tagline used for a fabulous new app for kids. I thought once we were already on the Montessori subject, I'd mention the installation of these Montessori apps - to current moms, they're all the rage! Intro to Letters is an app based on the Montessori activity known as Sand Paper Letters, these activities utilize sight, sound, and touch - helping your child learn the letters, as well as the correct method of creating them. Also available is their older release, Intro to Math (which I haven't personally seen, but I'm sure it's just as marvelous!). Something about their overall design is just so visually beautiful. Kudos, Montessorium!

Silhouette Matching Game

While doodling around yesterday with Freida, I had a lightbulb moment and decided to create a little matching game for today's preschool orientation. You may have read a bit about the Montessori method of shadow/silhouette recognition - it's a bit of a trend at the moment... and the Pre-K kids sure enjoyed it this morning. Here's the mock-up in PDF format for printing. And while it's not very professional (excuse the Sharpie lines), it will keep your tot busy for a bit while you prepare dinner...

PDF file: friedafroo©2010 Rosh Hashana

Gilt Goodies!

For those of you ladies on a quest for a some last minute holiday clothing – I’m sharing my Gilt goodies! These designer items are screaming Fall 2010!! Get ‘em while they’re hot! For a Gilt member invite, click here. Join the fashion party!!

Marc Jacobs:

From Matt Bernson:

From Hanii Y:

Those blue shoes are dope!!

Architects Do Accessories

Seeing a trend go 'round the globe that I absolutely love: accessories by architects. I find it simply wondrous that these fabulous, famous, and brilliant artists are bringing themselves into our living rooms, enabling us all to put a bit of their beautiful art in our everyday life - without building a modern sky-rise! I mean think about it, if it were possible, who wouldn't want want a bit of Howard Roark on their mantle?? : )

From Zaha Hadid:

1. WMF Cutlery

2. Melissa Jellies

3. Flow Flower Pots

From Frank Gehry:

1. Pito Alessi tea kettle

2. DWR cross check arm chair

3. Tiffany leaves ring

Boo-Boo Bling

Cynthia Rowley is at it again. More on the disposable-design front, more quirky limited-edition exclusives. Puts shaving knicks and paper cuts on the fashion map! Quite the upgrade for grown-up boo-boos...

Cynthia Rowley for BAND-AID, $10.00